Instant response broadcast board system and method

• US 6,269,173 B1
• Filed: 07/02/1998
• Issued: 07/31/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chao-Ming Shih
• Original Assignee: One More Inc.
• Inventors: Hsien, Kuan-Hong
• Primary Examiner(s): Bella, Matthew C.
• Application Number:
  US09/109,920
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 370/392, 382/1, 382/103, 382/173, 382/107, 382/100, 455/3.3, 705/14, 345/112, 345/121, 345/123
• US Class Current: 382/103
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0276 Advertisement creation

Abstract

An interactive instant response broadcast board comprises a microcomputer and a plurality of display broadcast boards and a plurality of detecting elements arranged thereon that detect the movement of objects detected in front of the broadcast boards, and transmits information to the microcomputer. A host server transmits and receives information to and from broadcast boards and extracts the information read from the microcomputer and detected by the detecting elements, and downloads the image messages and programs to at least one broadcast board for displaying. The broadcast board may be used in public place without being connected to a network.

Claims

1. A method for forming an instant response broadcast board system in which image signals of objects in front of a broadcast board are detected, and image signals of the detected objects are transferred to a microcomputer for processing, and information from the microcomputer is displayed on the broadcast board, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) setting the detected image signals as reference background image signals and setting related parameters if the detected image signals remain stationary for a threshold amount of time;

(B) displaying a main frame in the broadcast board from the microcomputer;

(C) tracking the detected objects, if the image pixels of the detected objects other than background has reached all preset parameters;

(D) changing the frame that is displayed on the broadcast board according to the movement of the detected objects,

(i) including displaying a pattern that moves synchronously with movement of the detected objects, or

(ii) including providing multi-layer screens having displaying different image layers representing different viewing perspectives, and that move at different speeds with movements of the detected objects to generate a stereo visual effect for a viewer;

(E) displaying a frame of a menu on the broadcast board when the detected objects have stopped, the menu including items instructing the viewer to do the following;

(a) remain still for more information, and

(b) move his or her body to make a selection; and

(F) if the detected objects have not vacated a region of detection, returning to said step (B), and when the detected objects remain stationary in the region of detection for a threshold amount of time, resetting the background parameter.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further including the steps of:

(G) recording and counting the number of detected objects in front of said broadcast board; and

(H) building a host server to connect and communicate with said broadcast board for uploading and downloading information.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein said step (H) further comprises the step of counting and recording the statistic information of persons and objects that pass by said broadcast board, the number of persons and objects that stop in front of said broadcast board, and the number of persons and objects that operate said broadcast board.

4. The method recited in claim 1, wherein in said step (C), when the total number of pixels that move synchronously on the background reaches a predetermined threshold value, the pixel group with the slowest speed and closest position to the center of said broadcast board are selected for tracking the person or object.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the moving trend of the respective pixels of a static object image is detected for sensing the minor movement of the static persons or object so as to generate an instruction.

6. A method for forming an instant response broadcast board system in which image signals of objects in front of a broadcast board are detected, and image signals of the detected objects are transferred to a microcomputer for processing, and information from the microcomputer is displayed on the broadcast board, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) setting the detected image signals as reference background image signals and setting related parameters if the detected image signals remain stationary for a threshold amount of time;

(B) displaying a main frame in the broadcast board from the microcomputer;

(C) tracking the detected objects, if the image pixels of the detected objects other than background has reached all preset parameters;

(D) changing the frame that is displayed on the broadcast board according to the movement of the detected objects, including

displaying a pattern that moves synchronously with movement of the detected objects;

(E) displaying a frame of further information on the broadcast board when the detected objects have stopped, and

(F) if the detected objects have not vacated a region of detection, returning to said step (B), and when the detected objects remain stationary in the region of detection for a threshold amount of time, resetting the background parameter.

7. A method for forming an instant response broadcast board system in which image signals of objects in front of a broadcast board are detected, and image signals of the detected objects are transferred to a microcomputer for processing, and information from the microcomputer is displayed on the broadcast board, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) setting the detected image signals as reference background image signals and setting related parameters if the detected image signals remain stationary for a threshold amount of time;

(B) displaying a main frame in the broadcast board from the microcomputer;

(C) tracking the detected objects, if the image pixels of the detected objects other than background has reached all preset parameters;

(D) changing the frame that is displayed on the broadcast board according to the movement of the detected objects, including providing multi-layer screens displaying different viewing perspectives, and that move at different speeds with movements of the detected objects to generate a stereo visual effect for a viewer;

(E) displaying a frame of further information on the broadcast board when the detected objects have stopped; and

(F) if the detected objects have not vacated a region of detection, returning to said step (B), and when the detected objects remain stationary in the region of detection for a threshold amount of time, resetting the background parameter.

8. A method for forming an instant response broadcast board system in which image signals of objects or persons in front of a broadcast board are detected, and image signals of the detected objects are transferred to a microcomputer for processing, and information from the microcomputer is displayed on the broadcast board, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) setting the detected image signals as reference background image signals and setting related parameters if the detected image signals remain stationary for a threshold amount of time;

(B) displaying a main frame in the broadcast board from the microcomputer;

(C) tracking the detected objects, if the image pixels of the detected objects or persons other than background has reached all preset parameters;

(D) changing the frame that is displayed on the broadcast board according to the movement of the detected objects or persons;

(E) displaying a frame of a menu on the broadcast board when a detected person has stopped, the menu including items instructing the detected person to do the following;

(a) remain still for more information, and

(b) move his or her body to make a selection;

(F) detecting a minor movement of the detected person that has stopped, and in response to the detected movement, generating an instruction so that the microcomputer may perform a processing option; and

(G) if the detected objects have not vacated a region of detection, returning to said step (B), and when the detected objects remain stationary in the region of detection for a threshold amount of time, resetting the background parameter.